M. C. Claircy Corbett

Claircy Corbett
September 23, 1940 – June 27th 2025 , Age 84
Claircy Corbett (née Gagné)  born in Bagotville, Québec.

Beloved wife of the late Winston Corbett (1941–1988), Claircy was the devoted mother of Julie, Patrick, and Michael, and the proud and deeply adored grandmother of Béatrice and Claire Rose; David, Liam, and Noelle Corbett; and Auguste and Eleanor Corbett Parkhill. She was also a loving mother-in-law to Robert Rose, Beth Paterson, and Jessica Parkhill.

The youngest of ten children born to Blanche (née Patry) and Alfred Gagné, Claircy left her small town in northern Québec in 1964 to marry Winston in Sydney Australia—the beginning of a grand life together that led them to raise their family in Montréal and later settle in Ottawa. There, she built a career with characteristic creativity and drive, helping to launch European and Canadian beauty brands including Paco Rabanne, Carolina Herrera, Worth, and Lise Watier.

Claircy lived a life defined by strength, resilience, fierce independence, and boundless generosity. Her heart and home were always open—her dining table a constant symbol of her love: plentiful in food, wine, and welcoming seats. She had a remarkable gift for bringing people together, weaving community through shared meals, storytelling, and laughter.

She was predeceased by her nine beloved siblings: Léo, Yvette, Camille, Jeannette, Gaston, Jeanne D’Arc, Collette, Armand, and Marie. Though the last to leave us, Claircy carried the spirit of her brothers and sisters with her always. She is also remembered with deep affection by her 30 nieces and nephews, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, courage, and connection. Her memory will live on in the many lives she touched—and in every warm kitchen, every snowy slope, green fairway, and every dish passed around the table. True to form, even in her final days, her words were, “Let’s go, let’s go”—a fitting mantra for a woman who never stood still, always moved forward, and brought everyone along with her.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honour to the Ottawa Food Bank.

A tree will be planted in memory of M. C. Claircy Corbett in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.